Obama Says Violence in Syria Is ‘Unacceptable’

MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Syrian regime’s bloody crackdown was at the top of the agenda Tuesday in President Obama’s Oval Office meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah.

“We’re continuing to see unacceptable levels of violence inside that country, and so we will continue to consult very closely with Jordan to create the kind of international pressure and environment that encourages the current Syrian regime to step aside so that a more democratic process of transition can take place inside of Syria,” Obama said following the meeting.

The president thanked Abdullah for being the first Arab leader to publicly call on Syria’s President Assad to step down.

“I want to thank him for his willingness to stand up. As a consequence, Jordan has been part of an overall Arab League effort to encourage this sort of peaceful transition inside of Syria that is needed,” he said.

Obama also pledged to work closely with Abdullah to encourage the Palestinians and Israelis to negotiate a peace accord “in a serious fashion.”

“Although this is still in the very early stages, we have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that we can bring the Israelis and Palestinians out of the impasse that we’re facing,” Abdullah said.